Escape From Boot Key Harbor

With a 20+ knot east breeze forecasted for the next couple days, prudence may have warranted remaining in
Boot Key Harbor, but we were growing weary of forking over the daily $21 for the mooring ball and “locals” were beginning to inquire about how long we were going to stay.  Seemed like the time to escape Boot Key Harbor. 

We spent the morning showering and linked to the internet.  Thanks to the internet we are aware of the tropical wave off the windward islands.  We will continue to monitor this system and factor it into our plan to cross to the Abacos. 

Off the ball by noon, we stopped at Berdines for fuel – diesel for C’est la Vie, soda for Jeff, and  ice cream for Anne.  We  exited the harbor around 13:00.  3 to 4 foot seas greeted our return to the sea.  We raised the main with 2 reefs to smooth out the seas.  Rather than fight the headwinds in a lumpy Hawk Channel we planned to pass through the 7 mile bridge and motor sail eastward on the leeward side of the keys.  

We did find a more acceptable sea state on the Florida Bay side of the keys, but 20 knots of wind on our nose made our progress a slow, uphill climb.